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I think its a big load of crap to want to do this IMHO. The hunt test side of things was created to accommodate the average individual who did not have the time to train a FT level dog (in my understanding), and to give these same individuals a chance so show off the skill of their canine companions. I feel that the MNRC is just getting lazy. The interest in sporting dogs and hunt test retrievers is growing and they should be excited about it. Not want to restrict how many dogs that have the skills to run there bc you simply feel there are to many. If you have a MH dog, you should have an opportunity to run the Master National. Not have to hope, that as an individual who trains dogs in their free time they get from work and family, to be able to hopefully have time to run it in the future if you have a dog that SHOULD be there. To me this proposal is to pretty much strictly accommodate/affect the professional trainers who do it for a living, and not to individuals who have other jobs that dream of going to run a dog at this level. It completely almost cuts the normal guy out due to other obligations. Hope no one takes any offense of this, its just my honest opinion. And i know of several big time pro's that are disgusted at this proposal also.

I hate to suggest this,, but MN registered clubs, when they have a hunt test on any given weekend, why not require them to declare a winner?
Other dogs that meet the standard, would still pass the test, and recieve a ribbon, ,, but ONE dog that day, that stood out above all others would WIN..

Then require so many of those wins, before the dog goes to the master national.

Gooser

It is far easier to spit on the work of others than it is to produce something better yourself.Brynmoors Prairie Sage JH ​(Sage) Just a dang fool huntin DawgHRCH Calypso Seven Bales High SH (Bailey)HR Calypso Zoomin Loosies Mad Hader (Maddi) We loved you baby. R.I.P.FlatLanders Broken Pistol Ricochet SH (Flinch)

My Christian Name is Michael Baker..
I have gone by "Gooser" since I was a "gossling"

wasn't it the master national that had all the skuttlebutt, was it 2 years ago, about money. or the lack of?????
or was it like the movie line "Show me the Money?"
why would an event that is strapped for cash want less dogs?
I know one thing, our everyday member club master hunt test numbers will rise 'cause you all will need to keep running.
Fine for me, I have Monday off. I'll toss ducks for your 3-day master hunt tests.

"So what is big is not always the Trout nor the Deer but the chance, the being there. And what is full is not necessarily the creel nor the freezer, but the memory." ~ Aldo Leopold

"The Greatest Obstacle to Discovery is not Ignorance -- It is the Illusion of Knowledge" ~ Daniel Boorstin

This is complete BS! Please believe me...this is just another way for the AKC to make more money off of an already expensive event! It should not be about eliminating the "young" dog from the event there are instances were a very qualified dog would need 12 passes to qualify if this proposal goes through...

Lets say my field trial dog is 4 years old and extremely qualified to run the MN but I was playing the FT game. Then I decide to get her title and qualify for the MN...I have to get 12 passes (6 for the MH title plus 6 for the MN qualification) on my 4 year old qualified dog! Who was more than ready to run the event. They are trying to make this a RICH man only game!! If the young dogs can do the work, let them play!!!

Cost breakdown to pass 6 master tests in one year (averages):

6 passes - entry fees: $480

Travel: $300

hotels: $780

food on the road: $300

--------------------------------

Total to qual a MN dog $1860 (this is JUST to qualify...not the event) now we need to double that the first year!

The one "freeby" year that we are getting our Master title is being taken from us!!